Bad Luck Katie

Adrenalin Rush

Katie stood at the foot of the steps, scanning the school grounds for Jules. It was strange that she hadn't heard from him since their date. A twinge of worry crept into her chest as she wondered if bad luck followed her. Perhaps there was some truth to her nickname. Maybe her attraction to the handsome boy was one-sided, and she had misread everything. Why did everything have to be so damn complicated?

She shielded her eyes from the sun's glare, using the opportunity to swipe a tear from her eyes. Raised voices caught her attention. She followed the voices, listening carefully.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you."

She edged down the path, finding a hiding place by a bush for a better look.

"What did I just say to you? What! Are you deaf now?"

She saw Jules, who had a crimson face, glaring at a taller man with pockmarks and a buzz cut, dressed in a military uniform.

"I heard you the first time," the boy replied.

The man snorted.

Jules clenched his fist. "You got me to wear these ridiculous clothes. Isn't that enough?"

As though sensing her, the man spun around, looking towards the bushes. Katie instinctively ducked.

She took a deep breath and held it.

After a brief pause, the man shifted his attention toward the boy. "Watch your tone, boy."

"Yes, sir," the boy muttered.

As the man turned to leave, he said, "Make me proud by earning good grades."

"Yes, sir," the boy replied, flipping the bird at the man's disappearing figure.

Katie stood up, and her knees made a popping sound.

"I know you're there," the boy said. "You can stop hiding now."

Katie emerged from her hiding spot. She pointed and asked, "Who was that?"

The boy said with sarcasm, "My dear old dad."

She took an awkward step, attempting to broach the subject of him ghosting her discreetly. "Um, so," she started, but the words wouldn't come out.

He held her gaze, then looked away. "I'm sorry I didn't call you," he said, rubbing his neck. "I just had a lot going on."

With disappointment, Katie chewed her lip and muttered, "Okay."

The silence between them became uncomfortable. He extended a conciliatory hand and said, "Let's head inside."

Katie took his hand. "Sure."

Anticipation thumping in her chest, Katie waited by the steps for Jules. He sent her a text during third-period class to meet him after school.

As her classmates exited the building, she checked her watch. It had been twenty minutes since he had sent the message. Where was he?

She gazed at the yellow school bus, wondering whether she should board it.

She adjusted her backpack, and as she was about to step forward, she heard someone calling her from behind.

"Where're you going?"

She turned around and noticed that the boy had changed into a T-shirt and tight-fitting jeans. She swallowed nervously.

"I wasn't sure if you had changed your mind," she said.

"Why would I?" the boy asked.

Katie shrugged.

He gestured towards the trees and said, "I know a spot where we can hang out for a while."

Katie walked cautiously beside him, taking small and careful steps as if she were trying to match his pace. "Okay," she replied, her voice barely audible.

While walking on the lawn, they stumbled upon an old and rusty railway track. Katie was filled with a sense of adventure.

She smiled and said, "I feel like I'm in a movie."

"Which one?" the boy asked.

She hummed a tune from the song "Stand By Me."

He chuckled. "Why am I not surprised."

They rested beneath the sycamore tree. Katie took off her shoes and wiggled her toes in the cool grass. He gazed at her with curiosity. "Tell me about yourself."

Katie hummed. "What do you want to know?" she asked.

"What's interesting about you?" he replied.

Katie let out a sigh. "I was born on Friday the thirteenth."

The boy's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "Really? That's so cool!" he exclaimed.

"You think so?" asked Katie, bug-eyed. "Most people consider me to be bad luck. They have even given me the nickname 'Bad Luck Katie'."

Shaking his head, the boy frowned. "That's bullshit," he said. "Luck is what you make it. You're not the bringer of bad luck. Don't believe that."

Katie regarded his statement. "Thank you for saying that," she murmured, although doubt lingered in her mind.

The boy smirked. "I was born on Tuesday," he said.

"Sure you were," Katie playfully nudged him on the shoulder as she chuckled.

He reached into his pocket and handed her a packet of unsalted peanuts. "I thought you'd like these," he said.

"Thanks," Katie said as she opened the packet and popped a few into her mouth.

He watched her in silence as she ate. "I like that you're not pretentious," he said softly.

Finishing the last of the peanuts, she wiped her mouth and said, "Thank you."

He stood up and stretched his legs. "Let's take you home before it gets too late."

Katie quickly slipped on her shoes, her mind racing. She needed to come up with an excuse to keep the boy from discovering that she was living in a shelter. "Um, yeah," she managed to say.

As Katie was crossing the railroad track, she noticed an object leaning against the fence. It was not there before. Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was a black 10-speed bike with a worn-out saddle and rusted pedals, the same type of bike that belonged to Kyle. This discovery shattered her sense of security.

"No," she mumbled.

Jules turned around and asked, "What? You don't want me to give you a ride home?"

Katie stood frozen in place as his question went unanswered, while her thoughts were in a whirlwind.

Kyle lived on the other side of town. What was he doing here? Was he searching for her? Was he nearby?

She darted her eyes back and forth, looking around nervously.

Jules approached Katie. "What's the matter?"

"No, no, he can't be here," Katie said, alarmed.

"Katie, please take a deep breath," he said as she started to hyperventilate.

"Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale."

Katie was struggling to breathe as her throat felt like it was closing up.

"Take a deep breath, Katie," Jules said as he stood in front of her.

He gently placed his hands on her face and looked into her eyes. "Don't worry," he reassured her, "I've got you." She clung to him.

He closed the distance between them and kissed her. His lips were warm and soft. She melted into his arms.

Katie lost herself in the moment, deepening their embrace and kiss.